Louis XIV, Hot Hot Heat & Editors at House of Blues, 13 February 2008

Show was a-ok.

Hot Hot Heat opened and I arrived to catch their last four songs. They put on a good show. High energy. Tight sound for what it is. The place wasn't packed yet. But close. Crowd was really into them. The show was sold out by the time I picked up my ticket at Will Call. Unfortunately, I didn't hear my fav song from HHH "Middle of Nowhere." But all in all they did a great job of firing the joint up. And there was quite a roar of support when they wrapped up their set and the curtain fell.

Editors headlined. Sound was good. Definitely tight. Some of their fans were REALLY into them. By far the most supportive of the night, naturally. But the music isn't my taste. I caught three songs before heading out.

Louis XIV was good. Surprisingly lacksadaisacal at first, however. Then again, I think that's kind of their schtick. The two main players looked a little like they were Amish in training – both with full beards, vests and one with a tall black hat.

When you break it down, more than anything else, Louis XIV are great storytellers. Unfortunately, I think their story "I AM the center of the universe" can get a little stale occasionally. The novelty seems to have worn a bit for me. So, it's a little off-putting in one of their new songs when they sing, "Two, Four, Six, Eight! Who do you appreciate! ME ME ME ME!" That said, I think their new album is a nice evolution from their previous. When I heard their first album, I thought "It's good. But is it a sound that'll be out-dated in a couple years?" And I THINK they've done a good job of avoiding that. It's definitely the same band. But they've evolved. In fact, they had two violin players with them on stage adding a lot to the songs, and giving the lead singer – Jason Hill – a string section to conduct. Which he did throughout the show with large, expressive and fluid arm motions.

All in all, I'm definitely a fan. I really like what they've done and are doing. I think their songs in terms of both production and progressions have evolved and grown. But I feel like their STORY could use some evolution and growth as well.

Louis XIV will be back to HOB April 10. I think they're headlining that one. I plan on going.

Help yourself to a seat, Democrat.

If Democrats keep worrying about "America's standing in the world" they're gonna get knocked on their asses this fall.

The majority of Americans don't give a rat's ass about our "standing in the world." In fact, the whole idea of worrying about our perception feels, at once, insecure and egotistical.

I'm not saying how we are perceived doesn't matter. I believe it does. A lot. But the people who run the campaigns for Obama and Clinton need to remind the constituents WHY it matters.

We need friends in this world because it keeps us safer. It makes tracking down "evil-doers" less daunting. And less expensive!

But until Democrats connect those dots, to the average Joe it just sounds like they're worrying about the wrong things.

At least, that's how I see it today. Tomorrow, who knows?